Bahrain opposition activist jailed

A Bahrain Shia opposition activist has been sentenced to three years in jail for taking part in anti-government protests.

Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel RajabPhoto: REUTERS

By Nargiza Ryskulova

3:55PM BST 16 Aug 2012

Nabeel Rajab, a founder of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and an opposition activist was sentenced to three years in jail for "instigating and participating in several illegal gatherings", referring to the ongoing anti-government protests, which started last year.

Rajab is known for leading many protests against the wide powers of the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty which rules Bahrain. Bahrain, home of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has been in turmoil since protests led by Shia majority have erupted last year after successful revolts in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia.

Rajab was already serving three months in jail over a tweet criticising the Khalifah ibn Sulman al-Khalifah, the uncle of the King of Bahrain and the country's unelected Prime Minister for nearly 41 years.

The judge ruled in three cases on the trial, all related to participating in peaceful protests, and handed down a one-year jail sentence in each, Rajab's lawyer Mohammed al-Jishi said, adding that he plans to appeal the ruling.

Rights groups criticised the sentence. The verdict is thought to undermine a US call for dialogue to defuse political tension on the island.

"This is a shocking verdict, even by Bahrain's own abysmal standards on human rights. The regime can't be seen serious about human rights reform when it jails one of the world's most prominent activists to prison for three years," said Brian Dooley of US-based Human Rights First.

Shia account for about 70 per cent of Bahrain's population half a million people, but claim they face widespread discrimination and lack opportunities granted to the Sunni minority. The country's leaders have offered some reforms including restoring jobs for many Shiites pushed out from their posts at the start of the uprising and giving parliament more power.